Reflector turret for an inverted microscope

ABSTRACT

A reflector turret for an inverted microscope, having a cover which is water-tight at least at the top and substantially light-tight outside the microscope beam path, wherein a protective glass is fitted into the upper part of the cover in the light path so as to be tight against liquid, and the protective glass is removable and/or exchangeable.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority of International Application No.PCT/EP01/11368 filed Oct. 2, 2001 and German Application No. 100 50677.1, filed Oct. 6, 2000, the complete disclosures of which are herebyincorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] a) Field of the Invention

[0003] The invention is directed to a fluorescence turret for invertedmicroscopes which contains fluorescence cubes. These fluorescence cubescan be brought into operative position selectively in order to carry outdifferent examinations in fluorescence microscopy.

[0004] b) Description of the Related Art

[0005] As is known, these fluorescence cubes comprise exciter filters inthe direction of the light source, dichroic splitter mirrors andblocking filters in the observation direction. Turrets of this kind areknown from DE 2316386, for example.

OBJECT AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] It is the object to improve on the design of fluorescence turretsfor inverted microscopes and to overcome disadvantages of the prior art.

[0007] In accordance with the invention, a reflector turret for aninverted microscope comprises a cover which is water-tight at least atthe top and substantially light-tight outside the microscope beam path.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] In the drawings:

[0009]FIG. 1 shows, in schematic form, an inverted microscope;

[0010]FIG. 2 shows a reflector turret having a knurled ring for manuallychanging the reflector position; and

[0011]FIG. 3 illustrates the arrangement when no reflector turret isprovided.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] The beam path of an inverted microscope is shown schematically inFIG. 1. A halogen lamp HAL at the microscope stand MS illuminates anobject located on the specimen table PT via a condenser KO. Locatedbelow the specimen table is an objective turret OR, shown without theobjective lenses which are inserted therein, and a reflector RF which ispart of a reflector turret, not shown, and which can be switched on toreflect in a fluorescence excitation beam path FS of a light source LF.The imaging beam path AS is deflected in the direction of the eyepieceOK (not shown) of the observer by a deflecting mirror US. Further, arecording beam path AS is provided for photographic recordings.

[0013]FIG. 2: Located below the objective turret OR, not shown, is thereflector turret RR which has a knurled ring RI for manually changingthe reflector position which serves in the motorized construction as atoothed rim for driving by means of a combined motor/transmission, notshown. The reflector turret has a cover A, preferably in the form of ahood with a trough-shaped surface in which grooves R are worked in forreceiving liquid, which grooves R accordingly prevent liquid fromflowing out, and a raised edge RA which prevents liquid from flowing outinto the lower parts of the microscope.

[0014] A protective glass SG is provided in the cover A. This protectiveglass SG releases the optical beam path downward and protects againstliquid at the same time. The protective glass is removable for cleaning,changing or in case of troublesome reflections and, for this purpose, islocated in a frame F which snaps into the hood. However, the glass plateof the protective glass SG itself is advantageously fitted into thecover A at an angle not equal to 90° to the optical axis, preferablywith a deviation of 3 to 5 degrees from the vertical.

[0015]FIG. 3: When no reflector turret is provided, a similarly shaped,empty, light-proof and liquid-tight cover AD is used in its place,likewise with an edge RA with a slight trough shape and exchangeableprotective glass SG in order to protect the area below the objectiveturret from unwanted light and liquid.

[0016] While the foregoing description and drawings represent thepresent invention, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art thatvarious changes may be made therein without departing from the truespirit and scope of the present invention.

1. Reflector turret for an inverted microscope, having a cover which iswater-tight at least at the top and substanitially light-tight outsidethe microscope beam path.
 2. Reflector turret according to claim 1,wherein a protective glass is fitted into the upper part of the cover inthe light path so as to be tight against liquid.
 3. Reflector turretaccording to claim 1 or 2, wherein the protective glass is removableand/or exchangeable.
 4. Reflector turret according to one of thepreceding claims, wherein the protective glass is arranged at an anglediverging from the vertical relative to the optical axis of the lightpath.
 5. Reflector turret according to one of the preceding claims,wherein the cover has grooves and/or an ascending edge for guiding offliquid.
 6. Inverted microscope in which an empty cover which islight-tight outside of the microscope beam path and/or liquid-tight isprovided in place of a reflector turret with a cover, preferably inaccordance with the preceding claims.